Walla Walla Regional Airport - History

History

The airport was the location of the U.S. Army Air Forces' Walla Walla Army Air Base in World War II.

The War Department announced they would be spending over 7.5 million dollars to construct an Army Air Corps Training Airfield adjacent to the existing Walla Walla Airfield. With the old 200-acre (0.81 km2) municipal airport as a nucleus, they commenced development of the Walla Walla Army Air Base, which ultimately comprised 2,164 acres (8.76 km2) of land. Over 300 buildings were constructed and equipped to house, feed and train approximately 6,000 men at one time.

The 91st Bomb Group lays claim to being the first Army Air Forces outfit to utilize the Walla Walla Base. They had initially trained in Florida before arriving in Walla Walla. Upon arrival, they trained and learned to fly B-17 airplanes. The 91st Bomb Group went on to distinguish itself in combat over Europe. Several of these crews made outstanding records during their tour of duty and were well publicized upon their return to the states with names such as “Jack the Ripper”, “Memphis Belle” and “Delta Rebel”. The “Memphis Belle” became the first B-17 to complete 25 missions in Europe.

Late in 1943, Walla Walla Army Airfield lay idle when the Second Air Force withdrew its B-17 Flying Fortress training operation. However, in April of the following year, the Fourth Air Force took charge of the airstrip and established a training base for B-24 Liberator crews.

During the war years, it is estimated that more than 8,000 officers and men were trained at this base producing 594 heavy bomber crews who compiled about 114,514 hours in the air while in training.

In 1947 the United States Air Force declared the Walla Walla Airfield surplus and on December 1, 1947 the City and County took over operations. An Airport Board was formed to manage the airport and the complexities of the facilities transfer. After considerably less than the standard two year probationary period, the Airport Board received an approved Civil Aviation Authority’s full and complete title to the $13 million airport on April 10, 1949. This was the first joint ownership (City/County) permitted in the entire nation.

In 1989, the "Port of Walla Walla" took over ownership and operational responsibility of the airport from the city and county of Walla Walla. The airport is mostly used for general aviation but is also served by one commercial airline.

The former office and supply buildings surrounding the airport proper have become a haven for smaller industrial/manufacturing businesses, including, as of June 2007, fifteen full-line wineries that source their fruit from the Walla Walla and Columbia Valley appellations. The Port of Walla Walla, in fact, recently completed a "wine incubator" project; three specially-constructed buildings that are leased on non-renewable six-year contracts to fledgling wineries. Among the 20 plus wineries with primary operations at the Walla Walla Regional Airport are Dunham Cellars, Tamarack Cellars, Buty Wines, Syzygy Winery, Revelry Vintners, Five Star Cellars, and Stephenson Cellars.